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This wasn’t real

It was an elaborate charade They were actors in a play A script written by her He played the part she asked hiht be real, but it was just sex

"Why did the light just die in your eyes?" he murmured as he rubbed his thumb over her lips "And why did your smile disappear?"

"Because I just remembered that none of this is real," she said in a low voice

Not a flicker betrayed his reaction to her state and assessing

"Do you want it to be real, Serena?"

He left the question dangling in the air, much like a carrot in front of the proverbial donkey Did she want it to be real? She sed, unsure of how to answer How could she when she didn’t know the answer?

Yes, there was soret that it was just an act because she liked the idea of being cherished by a man like Damon But she didn’t want to be so and arousing, would becoht?

"I don’t know," she finally said when it beca for her answer "I can’t answer that"

"And yet you have regret because this isn’t real," he said

She nodded

"It’s as real as we e but us"

"I like that" She leaned closer to hi his "Damon?"

He kissed her lips, one soft set about my fantasies? Could we instead play it by ear? I don’t want everything to be sopracticed I want to kno it feels to truly belong to you for the tiain, his lips exploring hers with a gentleness thatand yet so exquisitely tender in turns She loved both parts

"I think that’s an excellent idea, Serena mine I have no desire to share you with another man There are parts of your fantasies that excite me, boundaries that I’d like to push You please in to describe If you trust o forward, you as my slave and I as your keeper"

Unconsciously her hand went to the band on her arht His hand went to it as well, his finger tracing the outline of the jewelry

"Do you like the ers smooth over her arlistening gold of the band "I do It’s less harsh than a collar It’s feminine and yet there is power behind the sy it ca"

"And the last thing I want is for you to feel shary," she said with a se in subject and then laughed softly "So youand I’ve yet to feed you I’ood keeper, am I?"

She framed his face in her hands and lowered her head to his Their lips ether It was she who controlled the kiss, and he let her have her way When she pulled away, they were both breathing heavily, and his eyes shone with a heavy glaze

"You’re the best," she said si when I’m with you"

He squeezed her to him and kissed the tip of her nose "No, SerenaI can provide"

CHAPTER 22

Da, only that they were going out after a quiet dinner at home He’d chosen her outfit, a filmy skirt and sleeveless silk top, and instructed her not to wear a bra or panties Then he’d ushered her into his silver BMW and driven away from his house

A half hour later when they pulled through the gate of The House, adrenaline slalanced over at Damon, but his expression was unreadable

As if sensing her excitement and her nervousness, he reached over and captured her hand in his He gave it a gentle squeeze as he pulled the car to a stop next to the other parked cars

"You will stay by my side at all times Men will seek your attention They’ll speak to you and flirt You’re to speak only to me and to anyone else only with my permission"

Her eyes narrowed as she stared back at hi disciplined rather than an adult wo her to say no, but she snapped her lips together and averted her gaze This hat she’d asked for He was only giving her what she wanted

Damon stepped out of the car and walked around to open her door She put her hand in his and stepped gracefully from her seat

"Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?" he murmured as they started for the door

She sotten "No, but it’s nice to hear"

"I’ll be the envy of every man here Your hair shines like a veil of black silk"

"You’re no stranger to pretty words," she teased

"The words are only pretty when applied to a beautiful woman With no point of reference, they’re ue with your logic," she said with a wide sreeted by the butler Da room just off theThe only things I want adorning you are my marks of possession"

She inhaled in surprise but brought shaking fingers to the waistband of her skirt Yes, she’d gone nude the night of the auction, but somehow this was different She ell-versed in ould happen that night; after all, she’d created that fantasy Tonight, though, she orking fro